And, when the season begins Saturday against Jackson State University, he will have two new starters to hand off or throw the ball to.

Receiver Brandon Norwood and running back Gerald Hearns, two freshmen who have been winning praise from their upperclassmen, were the two biggest surprises when coach Earl Holmes released his depth chart.

The only other freshman starter is Patrick Dalton, a 6-foot-6, 340 pounder, who won out for the right tackle job on the offensive line. The rest of the offense has five sophomores and two juniors with Fleming as the only senior starter.

Cornerback Daren Parker is the only freshman starter on defense, which features four seniors, three sophomores and three juniors.

Considering what he's seen since voluntary workouts started earlier this summer, both Hearns and Norwood could become playmakers for the Rattlers this season, Fleming said.

Even the older players that Norwood competed against, praised his work ethic and his talent.

"I've seen him run routes and he is probably one of the best receivers I have seen since coming to FAMU, and he is just a freshman," said Fleming. "Not too many people know about him so I'm going to use that to my advantage."

Norwood, 6-foot-1, 180 pounds is from Atlanta's Cedar Grove High School. Holmes said the sky is the limit for him, but the coach was cautious in saying he hasn't forgotten that Norwood is a freshman.

"This kid; he can go," Holmes said. "He can play (but) you've got to understand his experience level. He catches the ball at the highest point and he doesn't mind blocking."

Neither does Hearns, a 5-foot-9, 205 pound speedster out of Palm Beach Dwyer High School. His accolades include being named outstanding player in the Florida high school championship game, which Dwyer won last year.

Hearns is stepping up at a time when the Rattlers need a solid running back. Expected starter Lemont Buice had been out recovering from shoulder injuries but last week was suspended indefinitely after being arrested for a traffic violation.

"He came in and filled the position," Holmes said of Hearns. "He's worked his butt off (and) picked up the system.

"He picks up protection very well. That's a key thing; we've got to be able to protect our quarterbacks. A lot of people send blitzes at you and you've got to find a guy who is not afraid to stick his head in there."

Hearns isn't just proving to be a potential game changers, he already has a reputation for motivating his unit.

"He wants to be that guy that's in the front of the line," Fleming said. "He wants to be in first; pushing everybody. I like to see that in him. He also has the physical part of it."